MG4 Dead !!

[Chr1sB]

Just got back from 4 days away and the car is dead- ie won’t respond to App or key fob and whilst I can get to the emergency key I can’t turn it in the lock. Car left with 60% battery. Any ideas what to do now ??

 

[Ian Key]

Just got back from 4 days away and the car is dead- ie won’t respond to App or key fob and whilst I can get to the emergency key I can’t turn it in the lock. Car left with 60% battery. Any ideas what to do now ??

The lock could be frozen. Don't use hot water as it will freeze up again but try a hot water bottle or a hair dryer to unfreeze the lock or warm the key with a match before putting into the lock.
Once the lock is unfrozen using the physical key should bring it back to life.

 

[the briggie]

As Ian says get access first. Beyond that the 12v battery is key. If that has a low charge the car is effectively dead

 

[Ian Key]

Am I right in thinking the 12v battery is only charged when the car is "on" or charging?
If so leaving it parked up for a number of days, especially in cold weather, will flatten the 12v battery so in the OP's case plugging the car into a charger will recharge it.

 

[siteguru]

Sounds reasonable ... but got to get into the car first to release the bonnet catch.

 

[Chr1sB]

Used warm water and pliers to turn emergency key to get in as can’t be turned otherwise ie it is useless. Car dead inside and won’t come to life. Going to call Breakdown as I do t want to cause issues trying to jump start it myself etc

 

[siteguru]

If it was me I'd attach a battery charger to give the 12V battery a boost and see if that kicked it into life.

That said a brand new car with a brand new battery shouldn't die after a few days - cold weather or not.

 

[the briggie]

Could it be anti-theft....

 

[the briggie]

Intelligent Charging
The 12V battery SOC (State Of Charge) is constantly
monitored, when the vehicle is power OFF it is possible,
under certain conditions, that the HV battery will
automatically charge the 12V battery to ensure the
vehicle starts. This function will activate and switch off
automatically.
Note: The system will suspend intelligent charging if a
fault is present, when starting or the vehicle is being
charged by an external device.
Note: The driving range will be reduced after
intelligent charging.
Note: The intelligent charging function is suspended when the high voltage battery is in a low SOC.

 

[Jomarkh]

It doesn't matter if you left it at 60% if the 12v battery is flat it won't go into ready mode. Try a jump start from another 12v battery.

 

[the briggie]

Sounds like 12v battery

 

[Chr1sB]

If the AA manage to get it started and pushed close enough to the charger, will plugging in the car charge the 12v … albeit I will be after a new one now.

 

[Saintsman]

Does the iSmart app not show the 12v battery charge?

Or does the app not connect because of no power?

 

[siteguru]

Good question ... the app does show the 12V battery SoC when you scan.

 

[Chr1sB]

Why is the physical key not working.....strange. It should work even if the 12v battery is dead

When you get the emergency key out from the fob it is just a ‘blade’ with another small piece of metal that can be twisted out to make a small L shape. I suspect this is to help turn the key, but as soon as you try to turn the key with it, the litre metal ‘foot’ bends and the rivet that connects the two looks as if it is about to pop; hence I used pliers on the blade (with the foot folded away) in order to get enough purchase to turn the key.

 

[the briggie]

Good question ... the app does show the 12V battery SoC when you scan.

But not when the 12v is dead....the 12v in an EV powers all ancillaries including any car interphase

If the AA get it running, leave it running. The 12v should charge from the HV batteries. I suspect the AA will give the battery a full charge irrespective and then the question what has drained it? Anything plugged in to active usb etc,

 

[Chr1sB]

Does the iSmart app not show the 12v battery charge?

Or does the app not connect because of no power?

ISMART won’t connect and so won’t do a Status sweep. The last time I did a sweep a week or so ago I remember seeing the 12v having about 12.4v charge

 

[Ian Key]

When you get the emergency key out from the fob it is just a ‘blade’ with another small piece of metal that can be twisted out to make a small L shape. I suspect this is to help turn the key, but as soon as you try to turn the key with it, the litre metal ‘foot’ bends and the rivet that connects the two looks as if it is about to pop; hence I used pliers on the blade (with the foot folded away) in order to get enough purchase to turn the key.

I had a similar problem when I had to use the emergency key on my Ford Focus due to a flat battery. It soon freed up with a few locks and unlocks. I sprayed the lock with silicon spray afterwards to stop it seizing up next time.

 

[Chr1sB]

….. the question what has drained it? Anything plugged in to active usb etc,

There is a cable in the left USB socket, but it isn’t attached to anything.

 

[Ian Key]

There is a cable in the left USB socket, but it isn’t attached to anything.

You haven't had a dash cam fitted?